THE HOUSE MOUSE 



53 



settled parts of North and South America and cccasionally is found 

 even in unsettled districts. It usually reaches a new settlement 

 sooner than the rat, but on account of its small size it does not do 

 so much damage as that species. However, its presence is just as 

 objectionable, and it has the advantage over its larger relatives in 

 being able to crawl through verv small holes. 



Fig. 11. — Northern White-footed Mouse (left). House Mouse (center). Prairie 

 Wliite-footed Mouse (right). Photo from life by Frank C. Pellett. 



The house mouse is extremely prolific, several litters of from four 

 to nine each being born in a year. The usual number in a litter is 

 five or six and the young reieh maturity in about three months. 



The nests are usually c(mstrncted in buildings or cellars and 

 are made from various materials that have been chewed into bits. 

 Paper, clothing, and articles of leather in many eases form the 

 basis "f these nests. Often, too, the animals nest out of doors in 

 gardens and fields, and numerous specimens caught in such places 

 have been sent in to the writer from time to time. 



House mice are practi( ally omnivorous in their diet ; they feed 

 upon all kinds of animal and vegetable matter, and pollute much 

 that is not eaten. Serious fires are caused when the animals g7iaw 

 matches, and floors, furniture, clothing, books, and other stored 

 articles are damaged by their teeth. In addition, these mice are 

 important carriers of bubonic plague and other diseases of human 



